09th in Matthew 1 Cor. 3:9-17 Ocala August 21, 2005         

 

Last year at this time, we spoke on the Gospel, which we heard today, when the Lord chastised Peter for his deficient faith. Since the Gospel Lessons are in a yearly cycle, I often search for the prescribed Epistle Lesson, which I often choose as the theme of my sermon.

When I looked up the Epistle reading for today, which was excerpted from St. Paul's 1st Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 3:9-17, I was so overtaken, that I stopped to meditate. I thought to myself "this is more than a great and blessed coincidence!" Better yet; -- I believe it is an "omen," and a true sign, for our great beloved Family, here in our Mission. The first verse of the today's Epistle lesson, which I will be quoting presently, could not have been more apropos, for our community life, since in our General Meeting today, we shall be discussing the first of the major steps we shall be taking as a Mission. And it is on basis of this text, that I will speak to you today.

Just listen to the first verse we heard today: "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building!" But the preceding verse, which was not part of today's reading, and which I think should have been, says: "The one who plants, and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor." Then, St. Paul completes the thought saying that, which was just mentioned: "For we are God's fellow workers; we are God's field, and we are God's building!

In other words, St. Paul says, that no matter what our work is, we should work as if God is there right beside us, as our fellow Worker. When we think in this manner, strangely enough our work and output becomes more positive.

It is no wonder, that in this same Epistle, chapter 10, verse 31, St. Paul admonishes the true believers; "whatever you do, do so for the glory of God!"

Thus, it is not fulfillment, simply to be faithful in our Church attendance, which of course, is the greatest part of our spiritual endeavor, --- but in every other _expression of our life, we should conscientiously believe, that we are God's fellow workers, as St. Paul stated.

We must understand that the Church, in Greek, meaning "Ecclesia," that is the convoking or the gathering of God's stewards into one body, which in essence is God's building, which St. Paul mentioned. It is our solemn obligation to labor for a community, which provides spiritual highways, so that people may worship God with inspiration and spiritual comfort, and with love, peace and harmony, sit at His Table to partake in Holy Communion.

We recognize, that God is the Master over the Universe. He is the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. We see ourselves, as stewards of the wealth of God. As children of God, and as His stewards, we become fellow workers with God in fulfilling His purposes, which include an abundant life for all people. Each person's true vocation should glow with Divine light. All people, in their work, can conceivably attain a sense of personal significance, and in this manner their life reflects the glory of God.

A dedicated Christian can readily believe, that he or she holds in their hands the gifts of God's Providence. The ores and wealth under the surface of the earth, the innumerable cattle and sheep that roam the hills, the abundant fruits of the trees and the produce of the vast farm lands, as well as the mysterious, unseen forces, which ride upon the winds.

Through the will of God, we are endowed in our minds with powers, to subdue and control all these great gifts.

Therefore, we must always remember, that God gives us these great gifts for our beneficial use, so as to use them productively for the Glory of God, as emphasized by St. Paul.            Unfortunately, so many times, people misuse God's gifts for their selfish motives, and for purposes of destruction. They waste the gifts on wars, which are so devastating, and bring nothing but misery to the world.

But, the Church will forever keep declaring, that our Lord Jesus came to this earth to reconcile man with God. His greeting was always ever so powerful with the phrase: "Peace be unto you!"

The Church has glory because of the splendor of Christ. He is the foundation, upon which the entire Church rests. In truth, Christ is the source of the Church's life and power. From today's Epistle reading, in verse 11, we heard "that there can be no other foundation beyond that which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ!" In Matthew 16:18, the Lord declared, that "His Church would be built upon the rock, and that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it."

The Church is glorious, because God in Christ has chosen Her, to be the instrument of the world's redemption. No other institution is equipped to do what the Church can do; to mediate God to men; to release and transmit His truth; to demonstrate through the Church, the Christ-like fellowship, which is God's love!

We, as stewards of God have a Divine calling, and that is to always submit ourselves to a self appraisal to see if we are true to our Christian life and the Divine Grace we receive from the Holy Sacraments, commencing from the day we were formally brought into the Church through our Baptism!

We were called out of darkness into light;            we were called to

freedom and love;     we were called, to be saints and witnesses for our

Lord Jesus Christ;  we were called, to be fellow workers with God. Accepting then these invitations, we have every hope to fulfill our mission upon this earth.

We must not forget that we are made to be creators! At the heart of our efforts to re-vitalize our Christianity through our work, we must ever keep in mind the ruling idea, that each one of us, is made in the image of God.

This means that we are made to be creators, because God, is the Creator of all. We can truthfully say that God has shared with us His creativity. This is why, we are never really happy, unless we are making, --- creating. The greatest happiness comes, in the kind of life in which, we clearly leave the world different from what it was, when our life began. To make a home; to write an essay; to build a factory; to establish a Church --- these, and other similar acts, are the works that make people sing.

As Christians, we should make every effort to turn the tide, so that we may heal some of the wounds of the afflicted, and bring peace and prosperity, according to the measure of love in our hearts.

Thinking and believing, that we are the fellow workers of God, as was stated initially in this sermon, we take pride and joy, when we use God's gifts prudently, by turning the raw materials into finished products for the good of the world.

We pray that the Lord, the Giver of all good gifts blesses our Mission, and that being enveloped in the spirit of His love, we should always work with one another in peace and humility, as repeatedly extolled by the Lord. Amen.

+ Fr. George Papadeas